Trinidad Chambliss Sues NCAA for One More Shot at College Football in 2026
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss isn’t ready to hang up his college cleats just yet-and now he’s taking the NCAA to court to prove it.
Chambliss filed a lawsuit on January 16 seeking a preliminary injunction that would allow him to suit up for the Rebels in the 2026 season. At the heart of the case is a medical hardship waiver tied to his 2022 campaign, which was derailed by illness and respiratory complications. If granted, the waiver would give Chambliss a sixth year of eligibility and a chance to run it back in Oxford.
This isn’t just a paperwork battle. It’s a full-on legal fight, and Chambliss’ team is pulling out all the stops.
Strategic Legal Play
Chambliss’ attorneys-Tom Mars out of Arkansas and William Liston from Mississippi-filed the suit in Lafayette County Chancery Court, just a short walk from the Ole Miss campus. That’s no accident. Because the NCAA operates nationally, it can be sued in any state, and choosing a local court puts the case in front of a judge with ties to the region and, in this instance, to the game itself.
Judge Robert Whitwell is overseeing the proceedings. A former quarterback at Northwest Mississippi Community College and a member of the school’s Hall of Fame, Whitwell has deep Mississippi roots and a long legal résumé. He earned his law degree from Ole Miss in 1972 and was appointed to the bench in 2013.
What’s at Stake
This case isn’t just about one more season of college football-it’s about protecting Chambliss’ financial future. According to the lawsuit, if Chambliss is forced to enter the 2026 NFL Draft without playing another college season, he stands to lose millions.
That’s not hyperbole. The filing lays it out plainly: Chambliss’ current NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal to return to Ole Miss is reportedly worth more than $5 million. Compare that to the projected earnings of a mid-round NFL draft pick-think in the range of $2.7 million annually over four years, similar to what Tyler Shough landed with the New Orleans Saints after being drafted in the second round in 2025.
It’s a stark contrast. And it underscores how much the landscape has changed in college football. For top-tier players like Chambliss, staying in school can be more lucrative than jumping to the pros-especially if they’re not guaranteed to go in the early rounds.
What Comes Next
The timeline here is crucial. A ruling on the temporary injunction could come within days.
If granted, Chambliss would be eligible to play while the legal process plays out. A final decision on the permanent injunction, however, could stretch into the summer-or even into the 2026 season itself.
That kind of delay could actually work in Chambliss’ favor. If he’s allowed to play under a temporary injunction, and the broader case is still unresolved, he could be suiting up for Ole Miss while the NCAA continues its legal battle.
Bigger Picture
This lawsuit is more than just a personal battle for Chambliss. It’s a reflection of the evolving power dynamics in college sports.
Players now have real leverage-financially, legally, and publicly. The NCAA, once the unquestioned gatekeeper of eligibility, is facing increasing challenges from athletes who understand their value and aren’t afraid to fight for it.
For Chambliss, the goal is simple: one more year in Oxford, one more shot at leading the Rebels, and a chance to control his own path-on the field and off it. Whether the courts will give him that opportunity remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: this quarterback isn’t backing down from the biggest play of his college career.